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essentials
essentials HOMEI am Jim Brubaker
“Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” is Jim Brubaker’s philosophy. He’s a landscape designer and owner of Jim Brubaker Designs.
He began working at Sandpoint Greenhouse in 1971 and subsequently he and his late wife Vicki started their own business 12 years ago because he could not see himself doing anything else.
When asked why he chose to start a business here, Brubaker said it was an easy choice. “Fort Wayne is a great town and the people are wonderful,” he said. “Also, it’s close to our northeastern lakes country, where my business flourishes.”
Brubaker has 2 children – Peter and Courtney – and 3 step-grandchildren. From her home in Westfield, Courtney has taken over the billing aspect that Vicki did, and she and her dad speak by phone every day. Brubaker also employs one full-time and 15 to 20 part-time workers as needed.
How has the pandemic affected his business?
“Landscaping has not been affected, probably because everyone is staying home and doing projects around the house,” said Brubaker, adding that he also does Christmas decorating for residential homes and hospitals.
One aspect of his business is that almost everyone who engages his services becomes an extended family.
“Dad always treats his customers and employees as friends and more importantly, family,” said Courtney. “Family and friends are the very core of his existence.”
One thing that Brubaker does that may set him apart from others in his field is that he draws his plans by hand (rather than through a design software).
“I like to hand-draw all of the blueprints to show the mature size of plant materials,” he said, adding that this can’t be done easily through computer programs.
“Dad is very old school and wants the client to feel the drawing and understand that he connects with them using this method – embracing more of a person-to-person relationship,” clarified Courtney.
Away from the time clock, Brubaker delights in working in (surprise, surprise!) the garden and looking for antiques.
“I would say my work is my hobby as it is very enjoyable,” he admitted, adding that being honest and faithful were the life philosophies he aims for daily.
Courtney concluded with a daughter’s tender impression of her father.
“The thing I love most about my dad is his compassion,” she said. “He is always there for me and wears his heart on his sleeve.”
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